Malaysia bars under-16s from signing up for social media

Malaysia has begun barring those aged under 16 from registering accounts on social ​media platforms, its communications regulator said on Monday, ‌as it boosts efforts to protect minors from exposure to harmful content online.

The Southeast Asian nation joins a growing number of ​countries introducing measures to regulate access to ​online platforms, amid mounting concerns over the impact ⁠of social media on children's health and safety. From ​today (1 June), social media platforms including Meta Platforms' Facebook and ​Instagram, TikTok, and Alphabet's YouTube must conduct age verification against government-issued records, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said. Fines up ​to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million) may be levied ​against social media platforms who fail to comply.

"The measure is ‌not ⁠intended to prohibit child users from the internet or to deny them access to technology," it said, rather it aims to boost responsibility among social media ​platforms, parents ​and guardians ⁠in protecting minors online. Age verification for existing users will be implemented by social ​media platforms over a six month-period.

Malaysia has ​stepped ⁠up scrutiny of social media companies after finding a sharp rise in harmful online content in recent years, and ⁠is cracking ​down on material that deliberately ​tries to stir racial or religious tensions, or criticises the monarchy.

($1 = ​3.9630 ringgit)